Research Scientist, Fauna

Amazon is hiring a Research Scientist, Fauna in New York, United States. It pays $157k-$213k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this research scientist role Builds AI ●●●●: the job is building AI systems.
The posting mentions R, MATLAB and Python among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a senior role.
Amazon has 20,000+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Conducts human-robot interaction research to develop conversational systems, social dynamics, and long-term relationships for robots.

RMATLABPython

human-robot-interactionconversational-systemsquantitative-researchsocial-dynamics

We are seeking a Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Research Scientist to develop cutting-edge interactions that make robots feel alive, personal, and fun. In this role, you will focus on verbal and non-verbal conversational systems, social dynamics, memory, and long-term relationship formation between robots, their environments, and the people they interact with. Your contributions will be essential in advancing robotics by enabling expressive, socially intelligent, and trustworthy interactions between robots and humans.

Basic qualifications

- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of quantitative field research experience
- Experience investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products
- Experience analyzing both experimental and observational data sets

Preferred qualifications

- Knowledge of R, MATLAB, Python or similar scripting language
- Experience with agile development
- Experience building web based dashboards using common frameworks

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, NY, New York - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Research Scientist, Fauna at Amazon rates 85 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Research Scientist, Fauna is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $157k-$213k a year.
The role is based in US, NY, New York.
The job was posted on September 24, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Amazon. Apply on Amazon

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Human Robot InteractionConversational SystemsQuantitative ResearchSocial DynamicsRMATLABPython

Also common in research scientist jobs at this level

Machine learning PyTorch LLM Deep learning Reinforcement learning C++

Pay

This job starts at: $157k
Typical research scientist job: $190k

This posting starts 17% below the typical research scientist job. See research scientist jobs

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where human robot interaction was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where conversational systems was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where quantitative research was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where social dynamics was part of your work. What did you do?
Walk me through how you've used R in your day-to-day work.

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Human Robot Interaction, Conversational Systems, Quantitative Research, Social Dynamics, and R. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.

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